Lamb Rice Stuffed Peppers – An Albanian Recipe

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Stuffed Peppers with Lamb Herbed Rice - An Albanian Recipe".

If you love traditional Mediterranean cooking, then you must try the Albanian stuffed peppers recipe with rice and lamb. This beloved comfort food is a popular staple in Albanian cuisine that dates back generations. 

I’ve always been hesitant with stuffed bell peppers. Instead, I have used many other vegetables like zucchini, eggplants, and tomatoes. But once I started making this recipe, my whole perception changed! These stuffed peppers are easy to make and tasty as well! 

The typical red pepper is filled with ground beef. Albanian stuffed peppers may also use lamb and are loaded with flavor from fresh herbs. It’s a refreshing dish, and it’s very healthy! These stuffed peppers are excellent on their own or as an accompaniment to other dishes like roast chicken or mixed greens. Eating these delicious Balkan treats will transport your taste buds across the world!

If you’re a fan of stuffed vegetables with rice and meat, you’ll love this Albanian recipe for Lamb Rice Stuffed Peppers. This dish is well-known worldwide, and for a good reason – it’s flavorful, hearty, and delicious. But did you know that similar dishes are also popular in other cultures? Growing up in Jordan, I enjoyed stuffed bell peppers, zucchini, eggplant, and potatoes cooked in a rich tomato sauce. Each culture has its unique take on this classic dish, and the Albanian version is no exception. With tender lamb, fragrant herbed rice, and savory spices, this recipe is a perfect example of the delicious and satisfying stuffed vegetable tradition.

Lamb Rice Stuffed Peppers: A great meal plan

Each stuffed pepper is an entire meal jam-packed inside one vegetable. There’s meat, rice, and pepper holding it all together. This dish is perfect for those who like meal prep and want a healthy and quick lunch or dinner. 

If you make a bunch of stuffed peppers, you can save them throughout the week and reheat them at work or for quick meals. Stuffed peppers can be placed in the freezer if you do not plan to finish them about four to five days after making the recipe. You can freeze them and then heat them in the oven or microwave.

Does It Matter What Color Pepper You Use?

It will all come down to personal preference. It doesn’t matter which color bell pepper you use in your stuffed peppers. Red, yellow, and orange bell peppers will be sweeter, while green is more hearty and bitter. However, all of them are good options and can make a beautiful serving plate if you use every color of bell pepper.

How Long to Bake Lamb Rice Stuffed Peppers: Tips for Perfectly Cooked Peppers

Bell peppers in the United States are much bigger than the ones typically grown in Mediterranean countries. And the pepper’s size will affect the dish’s baking time. When picking out peppers, ensure you get peppers that are all relatively the same size so they all cook evenly.

It should take about 55 minutes to bake, and you will check on them halfway through to ensure they are on the right track. But if they are not soft enough, add more water to your baking dish and bake them a little longer to get the desired texture.

What To Serve With Stuffed Peppers?

There are almost endless possibilities of what to serve with stuffed peppers. As mentioned above, these go great with Perfect Roasted Chicken with Za’atar, Sumac, and Traditional Greek Salad Recipe. You can also serve them alongside potatoes, sauteed mushrooms, or Sicilian Scaccia Bread Recipe – AN Italian Bread to help you track down and soak up some food that falls out of your pepper.

Ingredient List

Preparation

1.
Heat olive oil in a large skillet, then sauté the onions on medium to high heat. Then add the ground beef.
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2.
Once the meat is browned, add parsley and crushed tomatoes. Add 1 cup of water and mix well—season with salt, pepper, and dry mint.
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3.
Add the rice when the mixture is boiling. Turn the heat down to medium. Mix well and let it cook for 20 minutes. You want the stuffing not to be too thick, so if more water is needed, about half a cup.
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4.
Turn the oven to 375°F. Turn the heat off on the stovetop and let the stuffing cool. At the same time, you work preparing the peppers. Cut off the top of the pepper and remove any seeds or pits inside.
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5.
When the stuffing is cool enough to handle, spoon some fillings into the peppers to fill ¾ to the top.
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6.
Arrange the peppers next to each other in a baking dish. Place the top cut piece of the peppers back on the stuffed peppers. Add one cup of water to the bottom of the baking dish and cover it with foil.
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7.
Bake for 35 minutes. Check on the peppers by removing the foil and ensuring there is still a bit of water on the bottom of the pan. Add more if evaporated, and bake uncovered for another 25 minutes. Enjoy!
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Please Support The SiteHome Cooking is Easy!With These Minimalist Kitchen Essentials

Ingredients:

1X 2X 3X
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2 tablespoons olive oil
1 large onion (chopped)
6 large bell peppers
1 lb. ground lamb or beef
4 medium size tomatoes (chopped, or 14 oz diced can tomatoes)
1 cup fresh parsley (chopped)
1 tablespoon salt
½ tablespoon black pepper
1 teaspoon dry mint
1 cup short grain rice (washed)
2 cups water + 2 extra cups water separated

Preparation

1
Heat olive oil in a large skillet, then sauté the onions on medium to high heat. Then add the ground beef.
2
Once the meat is browned, add parsley and crushed tomatoes. Add 1 cup of water and mix well—season with salt, pepper, and dry mint.
3
Add the rice when the mixture is boiling. Turn the heat down to medium. Mix well and let it cook for 20 minutes. You want the stuffing not to be too thick, so if more water is needed, about half a cup.
4
Turn the oven to 375°F. Turn the heat off on the stovetop and let the stuffing cool. At the same time, you work preparing the peppers. Cut off the top of the pepper and remove any seeds or pits inside.
5
When the stuffing is cool enough to handle, spoon some fillings into the peppers to fill ¾ to the top.
6
Arrange the peppers next to each other in a baking dish. Place the top cut piece of the peppers back on the stuffed peppers. Add one cup of water to the bottom of the baking dish and cover it with foil.
7
Bake for 35 minutes. Check on the peppers by removing the foil and ensuring there is still a bit of water on the bottom of the pan. Add more if evaporated, and bake uncovered for another 25 minutes. Enjoy!

Recipe Tips & Suggestions

Substitution suggestions:

Substitution can be a great way to make a recipe more suitable for your dietary needs or preferences. Traditional stuffing recipes can be challenging to enjoy for those who follow a vegan diet. However, by making a few simple substitutions, you can create a vegan-friendly stuffing that is just as delicious as the original. Instead of meat, you can use ingredients such as beans, lentils, mushrooms, or tofu to create a flavorful stuffing. In addition, instead of using bell peppers, you could stuff squash, eggplant, or tomatoes for a unique twist. These vegetables provide a similar texture to bell peppers and are equally delicious when filled with your favorite stuffing. By getting creative with substitutions, you can create a dish that is both satisfying and healthy for your body and mind.

Storage and reheating Stuffed Peppers:

When it comes to storing leftovers, allow the stuffed vegetables to cool completely before transferring them to an airtight container or wrapping them tightly with plastic wrap. They can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 4 days or in the freezer for up to 3 months. To reheat, simply place the stuffed vegetables in the microwave or oven until heated through, or in a skillet with a bit of oil over medium heat until heated through and slightly crispy.

Rana’s Notes!

Add A Surprise Element To Your Stuffed Peppers You can prepare this simple recipe in half an hour and let the oven do the rest. Another option you can incorporate is adding some tomatoes in the same pan while cooking the peppers; this will give you a kind of salsa you can add overtop the rice and peppers for extra juice.

Nutrition Information

The information shown is an estimate provided by an online nutrition calculator. It should should not be considered a substitute for a professional nutritionist's advice.
See our full nutrition disclosure here.

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